Immanuel

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel” Matthew 1:23

Immanuel – God with us. It’s daunting to recognise that He did not come in robes of glory or a knight in armour. He had very humble beginnings- born together with other animals in a shed, by parents who were deemed “out of wedlock”, yet this innocent child is deem fit by God to be the Saviour.

I was reminded today (in the midst of all the merry making, feasting and shopping) that Christmas is a time to remember Jesus… that He lived, breathed, emoted and experienced, like the rest of the 6 billion people in this world. He was not a god who is far removed from what we go through in our lives. He is the God who came near and dwealt amongst us.

It means that instead of coming like we might imagine with displays of power and undeniable proofs of his existence, this God sneaks up on us, comes to us where we least expect it.  It means that instead of compelling us to believe and obey, God comes to us in such a small way that we can ignore him if we choose.  He makes himself vulnerable to us and asks us to follow him.  It means that this God is not distant or removed, immune to all of our pain and the mess we are making of his world.  It means that God has come very close, close enough to touch, close enough to be wounded by us, right into the very lowest parts of our experience as human beings—pain, rejection, brokenness, death.  He is not just a ‘God-over-us,’ but an Immanuel, a ‘God-with-us.’

~Rachel Tulloh

Remind me when I fail and fall.

祢的愛

By Streams of Praise

I almost forgot how beautiful the Chinese Language can be and this song reminded me of a moment in time past where He was there through life’s uncertainties.

MCYS TVC Commercial

MCYS Funeral TVC commercial

Apt and moving.

Thanksgiving 2009

Food. Chatters. Wine. Moments.

The Americans gather among family and friends during this time of the year for feasting, boozing, updating and most importantly a time to give thanks. According to Cde, to miss Thanksgiving is almost criminal in his family. I had the opportunity to be part of this ang-mo-loved holiday right here in Singapore. The feast looked something like this:

1. Turkey with fruit and bread stuffings (Grisha)
2. Mashed potatoes (Casey)
3. Broccoli & cheddar (Jayme)
4. Salad (Cde)
5. Pancakes w/ dulche de leche  (Kurt)
6. Cheesecake (Me)
7. Wine (Everyone)

Although I was the only Asian (correction, Singaporean) I don’t feel strange with the party and I stopped feeling out-of-place hanging out with ang-mo’s. After spending a considerable time knowing many of Cde’s friends, I learn that Americans who dared to venture into Asia are usually a different breed compared to those who never wanted to do so. Many thinks they are foolish giving up the comforts of home to go into a foreign china-land called Singapore. I always shake my head in disbelief; ignorance is not bliss. So despite being the minority, dinner conversations were great. We ended off the evening with a round table thanksgiving sharing.

I’m thankful for His guidance and grace.

Kill that bird!

Cheesecake & Pancake remnants

The Canadian

best dressed couple

the asian and ang-mo

He did it!

Down and Out

Sometimes falling ill is a way which we are reminded of our limitations and vulnerability as humans. The past 2 weeks I’ve been in and out of the doc’s room due to stomachache and fever. It was only later I discovered that I might be getting stomach flu from him. I was loopy and incoherent, weak and running to the loo- I slept through all day. Trust me, I felt miserable.

Yet in all my weaknesses I am reminded that I am finite, and there is One who is infinite. He has always been there and like how the song goes this morning:

His grace has been sufficient for me.

His power is made perfect when I am weak.

All that I needed I cling at Your feet.

Your grace is sufficicent for me.